Why is it important to manage your blood pressure?
You’ve probably seen countless articles about how to manage your blood pressure and products advertised as something that “helps to lower your blood pressure”, but what exactly are the risks of having high blood pressure? Alternatively, is there such thing as “too low?”
Effects of High Blood Pressure
If blood pressure is elevated for too long it puts strain on the body and can lead to several serious and permanent health complications and conditions such as:
- Heart attacks/heart failure
- Angina (chest pain)
- Aneurisms
- Strokes
- Loss of vision
- Kidney disease/failure
- Pregnancy complications
- Memory impairment/dementia
- Sexual dysfunction
Effects of Low Blood Pressure
Although it is not as serious since it does not place strain on your blood vessels and cause lasting damage like high blood pressure does, having low blood pressure can also lead to unpleasant symptoms including:
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Nausea
- Trouble concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Fainting
How to Manage Your Blood Pressure
Overall, it is important to be aware of what can affect your blood pressure and make sure it stays within a normal range.
Regulating Blood Pressure at Home
There are many lifestyle changes you can make to help regulate your blood pressure today.
Proper Nutrition: unhealthy eating and overeating can lead to high blood pressure while malnutrition and undereating can cause low blood pressure. It is important to make sure you are getting enough energy from nutrient-rich foods and avoid processed sugars which can put further strain on your arteries. Potassium and sodium both greatly contribute to lowering and heightening your blood pressure. It is important that you are consuming enough potassium and limiting your sodium intake to avoid hypertension.
Proper Hydration: Dehydration can lead to low blood pressure among other complications. It is important that you are drinking enough water throughout the day.
Tobacco Consumption: One effect of tobacco use is an instant increase in your blood pressure. Over time this can cause damage to your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.
Alcohol Consumption: Long term heavy drinking can damage your heart and put you at risk for many serious health complications. If you drink, be sure to do so in moderation and do not exceed the recommended limit of one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Physical Activity: Being overweight or not being physically active can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure. To strengthen your heart muscle, regular physical activity is key. Being at a healthy weight will also reduce any added strain to the heart.
Stress: Stress can have an impact on your overall health. Related to your blood pressure, lowering your stress level is important for maintaining a healthy blood pressure level. Taking time out of your busy schedule to go on a short walk helps decrease stress and has the added benefit of keeping you regularly active.
Medicine for Blood Pressure
If you have made the necessary lifestyle adjustments and continue to struggle to manage your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe you with additional medications that will make regulating your blood pressure easier.
There are five different types of medications that can be prescribed to treat high blood pressure:
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Diuretics
- Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)
- Beta-Blockers
Marley Drug offers medications from each of these classes at affordable prices available with no insurance needed. Check to see if we offer your medications on our Wholesale Price List or call us at 800-810-7790 and speak to our pharmacy team with any questions you may have about medications or our services.